CRUSADERS coach Iestyn Harris will be given the opportunity to further bolster his squad before the new Engage Super League season kicks off in three weeks’ time.

Harris, who has taken over from Brian Noble, lost a host of regulars from last season, including Weller Hauraki, Nick Youngquest, Rocky Trimarchi and Luke Dyer, and has so far recruited just three replacements in Wakefield duo Paul Johnson and Richard Moore and Bradford winger Stuart Reardon.

But the Wrexham club are thought to be close to signing Melbourne back-row forward Hep Cahill and chief executive Rod Findlay yesterday revealed they would attempt to secure a number of loan players.

Findlay also re-iterated the club’s determination to hang onto exciting Australian half-back Jarrod Sammut, who is thought to be wanted by Hull as a replacement for the departed Shaun Berrigan.

“Sammut is not for sale,” said Findlay. “He has two years to run on his contract and he is very much part of our plans. He is a fans’ favourite.

“There is an opportunity for some loan signings and we are hoping to confirm a signing very soon.”

Crusaders, who will start the season on minus four points as a result of going into administration in December, are hoping to build on an encouraging first season at the Racecourse Ground, where their average attendance increased by 1,018 on their year in Bridgend to 4,621.

The club emerged from administration debt-free under a new company name of W Crusaders Ltd and, although Findlay insists they will pay off money owed both to the Rugby Football League and the club’s staff pension fund, he dismissed a suggestion that Harris would have to work within tight constraints.

“I don’t think it’s a shoestring budget,” he said. “I think we will be competitive.

“The biggest obstacle will be the four-point deduction but we believe that is something we can overcome.”

Harris took his squad to the south of France on Thursday for a four-day training camp in readiness for their opening fixture against Salford at the Magic Weekend in Cardiff on February 13.

They meet Catalans Dragons in a friendly in Perpignan this evening and host Leeds at the Racecourse next Friday.